Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Live, Thrive, and be Free - Ending Domestic Violence


I am a human being and not a human doing – I am mindful and full of hope that our world will one day be ecological, socially, and emotionally in balance.

Every single person on this planet has value and worth. Everyone deserves to live, thrive, and be free.* However, for the victims of domestic violence, life is full of fear.

Domestic violence comes in many forms, crosses all socioeconomic boundaries, and like cancer, left untreated, can grow, spread, and even kill.

Domestic violence is a chronically under-reported problem of dominance and control that is reaching epidemic proportions.

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV), over 1 million women are victims of domestic violence.

Medical care for the victims of domestic violence crimes has reached well over one billion dollars! With no end in sight, domestic violence is fast becoming an epidemic. Although most victims are women, children, and the elderly are fast becoming victims as well.

Statistically, less than 25% of (physical) domestic violence is reported to the police; and with more than 50% of restraining orders violated, it becomes no surprise that victims are fearful of perpetrator retaliation.

I am a domestic violence victim who survived years of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. I lived in constant fear for my safety and became hypersensitive to sudden noises and sounds.

As a society, we must find a way to eradicate domestic violence. It starts with everyone participating – to look, listen, and leap into action. Even a little can go a long way to stop the spread of this societal disease.

For more information on what you can do to stop domestic violence in your community contact:

SAVING PROMISE
1425 K Street NW,
Washington, DC 20005
800-774-5760

Or visit their website at:

http://www.savingpromise.us/be-the-promise/one-voice/become-a-onevoice-partner

The time is now to live, thrive, and be free!


*live, thrive, and be free is the slogan for Saving Promise, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence.

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